Induction type telemetering system

ABSTRACT

A digit wheel bearing 10 decimal digits is provided on the magnetic disc-shaped portion thereof with four coupling openings radially aligned with selected four of the digits. When the wheel rotates, the openings are stepwise moved between five pairs of driving and output windings disposed in opposite relationship at equal angular intervals on both sides of the disc-shaped portion respectively, with the driving windings continuously energized with an alternating current. At each angular position of the wheel selected two of the openings are always positioned between selected two pairs of opposite windings permitting their electromagnetic coupling. Thus the two output windings produce respective voltages indicating a corresponding coded digit in the form of a two out of five code.

[ 1 Sept. 18, 1973 INDUCTION TYPE TELEMETERING SYSTEM [75] Inventor:Yoshio Maed a, Amagasaki, Japan [73] Assignee: Mitsubishi DenkiKabushiki Kaisha,

Tokyo, Japan 22 Filed: Mar. 27, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 238,558

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 3,067,4l4 12/1962 Kelly 340/347DD Primary ExamineF-Maynard R. Wilbur Assistant Examiner-JeremiahGlassman Att0rneyE. Fv Wenderoth et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A digit wheel bearing 10 decimal digits is provided on themagnetic disc-shaped portion thereof with four coupling openingsradially aligned with selected four of the digits. When the wheelrotates, the openings are stepwise moved between five pairs of drivingand output windings disposed in opposite relationship at equal angularintervals on both sides of the disc-shaped portion respectively, withthe driving windings continuously energized with an alternating current.At each angular position of the wheel selected two of the openings arealways positioned between selected two pairs of opposite windingspermitting their electromagnetic coupling. Thus the two output windingsproduce respective voltages indicating a corresponding coded digit inthe form of a two out of five code.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDsEP'I ems lb FIG. 20 FIG. 2b

FIG. 1c| I FIG.

FIG. 2c

FIG. v3

INDUCTION TYPE TELEMETERING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to an induction type telemetering system and moreparticularly to a contact-less type displayed measurement translatordevice for use in such a system including a digit wheel andelectromagnetic coupling means operatively associated therewith with totranslate digits successively viewed on the digit wheel intocorresponding electrical signals in the form of codes. I

In the field of the automatic gauge examination, for example, utilizingthe telemetering system, there have been already known various types oftranslators for converting measured quantities to signals which can betransmitted, e.g. electrical signals or the like. The known translatorshave been of the contact type which have the disadvantage of lowreliability over long periods of time. On the other hand, thosemeasuring instruments operatively associated with the translators, suchas watt-hour meters, are high in long time reliability.

This conflict between the translator for automatic gauge examination andwatt-hour meter has made it difficult to incorporate the two into aunitary structure.

For this reason, the watt-hour meter has included its display unitoverlapping the translatorportion' of the associated terminal unitforautomatic gauge examination. In other words, the display unit hasoverlappeda translation mechanism in the terminal unit, whereby overalleconomy has not been impaired.

This results from the adoption of the contact type of translationmechanisms. Alternatively, even if the translation mechanism would be ofthe contact-less type, the resulting translator has been difficult to bekept reliable without maintenance for longpe'riods of time, and also iscomplicated in construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the inventionto'provide a new and improved displayed measurement translator devicefor a digital wheel simple inconstructionand high in both overallreliability and economy through the utilization of the principles ofmutual electromagnetic induction.

The invention-accomplishes this object by the provision of a displayedmeasurement translator device for providing a coded'measured value,comprising, in combination, a stepwise rotatable digitwheel including anencoding portion in the form of a sheet having a plurality of couplingopenings disposed in a predetermined pattern thereon, a plurality ofdriving windings disposed in a predetermined pattern on one side of theencoding portion and continuously energized with an alternating current,and a plurality ofoutputwindings on the other side of the encodingportion opposing the respective driving windings through the encodingportion, each of the coupling openings being! selectively put betweenthe pairs of oppositewindings during the stepwise rotational movement ofthe digit wheel to permit the electromagnetic coupling thereof throughthat coupling opening put therebetween to induce a voltage across theassociated output winding, the voltage induced across at least one ofthe output windings indicating the coded measuredvalue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will become more readilyapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1a is a sectional view of an encoding disc useful in explaining theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. lb is a plan view of the encoding disc shown in FIG. la with partsomitted;

FIG. 2a is a side elevational view, partly in section of an encodingdigital wheel unit constructed in accordance with the principles of theinvention;

FIG. 2b is a plan view of the digital wheel unit shown in FIG. 2a withparts omitted;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the relative positions of the electromagneticwindings shown in FIG. 2a; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmental perspective view, partly in section, of one formof the invention applied to a conventional watt-hour meter with partsbroken away.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention comprises acombination of an encoding digit wheel and electromagnetic couplingmeans to transform digits successively viewed on the digit wheel intocorresponding electrical signals in the form of codes. Since theexisting digit wheels bear in most cases the 10 decimal digits 0, l, 2,9, the invention will now be described in conjunction with the decimalnumeration and particularly in terms of the transformation of decimalnumbers into binary coded decimal numbers each expressed by a two out offive code. However, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereby or thereto andthat it is equally applicable to thetransformation of decimal numbers into any desired code type decimicalnumbers, for example, 4 X 4 code type deminal numbers. Also it is to beunderstood that the principles of the invention can be utilized totransform numbers having a radix of n into corresponding coded numbershaving the same radix.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is illustrated an encodingrotatable disc that may be used with the invention. The encodingdiscdesignated by the reference numeral 1 is formed of any suitablemagnetic material andhas ten decimal digits 0, 1, 2, 9 denoted atsubstantially equal angular intervals on the peripheral portion of oneface thereof and a plurality of coupling'openings 2 disposed in apredetermined pattern on a circle concentric with the circularperipheral edge of the disc. In FIG. 1b four coupling opening 2 areshown as being radially aligned with the decimal digits 0, 1, 7 and 8for the purpose of transforming the decimal numbers into correspondingbinary coded decimal numbers each expressed by a two'out of five code.

As shown in FIG. la a pair of L-shaped magnetic cores 3 and 4 aredisposedin opposite relationship on both sides of the encoding disc[respectively so that both legs of one of the Ls" oppose thecorresponding legs of the other L" and also can face theopenings 2. Bothmagnetic cores 3 and 4 have respective windings 5 and 6 inductivelydisposed on one leg, in this case, the lower legs as viewed in FIG. laof the cores. The winding 5 forms a driving winding continuouslyenergized with an alternating current while the winding 6 forms anoutput winding.

The encoding disc 1 is arranged to be stepwise rotated about its center.More specifically, the encoding disc 1 is responsive to an increment ofthe particular measured decimal value to step a one-tenth completerotation thereof. During this stepping movement each of the couplingopenings 2 can be positioned between the pair of opposite cores 3 and 4.At that time, the cores 3 and 4 are permitted to be electromagneticallycoupled to each other through that opening 2 just positionedtherebetween whereby voltage is induced across the output winding 6.

With the 2 out of code used, five pairs of the driving and outputwindings 5 and 6 respectively can be disposed at substantially equalangular intervals on the same circle as the coupling openings 2. In thismeasure, selected two of the winding pairs 5 6 induce the respectivevoltages thereacross at each angular position of the disc 1 or for eachdecimal digit to provide a corresponding coded signal.

The pattern in which the openings 2 and winding pairs 5 6 are arrangeddepends upon the type of coded signals into which the decimal digits aretransformed.

FIG. 2, wherein like reference numerals designate the componentscorresponding to those illustrated in FIG. 1, shows the encoding disc 1as above described in conjunction with FIG. 1 incorporated into arotatable digit wheel typically used in the existing watt-hour metersand the like. In FIG. 2, the reference numeral 7 designates an encodingrotatable digit wheel having an encoding disc as above described inconjunction with FIG. 1 and a display digit wheel formed into a unitarystructure. As shown in FIG. 2a, the encoding digit wheel 7 includes arim bearing decimal digits (not shown) thereon in the conventionalmanner, a plurality of carry-out projections 8 disposed at predeterminedangular intervals on one side, in this case, the lefthand side as viewedin F IG. 2a thereof, and a carry-out slide 9. In other respects formingthe subject matter of the invention, the arrangement is identical tothat shown in FIG. 1. The driving and output windings 5 and 6respectively are shown in FIG. 2a as having leads connected thereto inordertoenergize the windings 5 with an alternating current as well astaking out the induced voltages from the windings 6.

FIG. 2b shows the encoding digit wheel as viewed in the axial directionthereof and also four coupling openings 2 arranged in the same manner asabove described in conjunction with FIG. 1b.

FIG. shows five combinations of L-shaped magnetic core 3 or 4 andwinding 5 or 6 inductively disposed on the associated core. Thesecombinations are designated by the reference numerals 10, 11, 12, 13 and14 and disposed at substantially equal angular intervals so as tocooperate with the four coupling openings 2 on the encoding digit wheel7 to provide electric signals in the form of 2 out of 5 binary codesrepresentative of the corresponding decimal values.

By superposing FIG. 2b on FIG. 20, it will be seen that among the fivepairs of windings, the two windings of the winding pair 10 areelectromagnetically coupled to each other through that coupling opening2 positioned therebetween as do the two windings of the winding pair 13resulting in the induction of two voltages indicating a predetermineddecimal value in the form of a two out of five code.

FIG. 3, wherein like reference numerals designate the componentsidentical or similar to those shown in FIG. 2, illustrates acontact-less type displayed measurement translator device constructed inaccordance with the principles of the invention for the purpose ofapplying it to a watt-hour meter for example. The arrangementillustrated comprises a plurality, in this case four, of encoding digitwheels 7 as above described in conjunction with FIG. 2 alternating inaxially aligned relationship with a plurality of supporting discs 16 forcarrying the magnetic cores and the associated windings as abovedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 1. An auxiliary wheel 17 is disposedoppositely to the digit wheel 7 for the units place of the decimalnumber by having that supporting disc 16 for the units place digit wheel7 interposed between that wheel 7 and wheel 17. The auxiliary wheel 17includes means for driving the digit wheels 7. A plurality of carry-outwheels 18 are rotatably mounted on a common shaft, one of the wheels 18being operatively coupled to each pair of adjacent digit wheels 7. Thewheels 7 and 17 are rotatably mounted on another common shaft while thesupporting discs 16 are fixed to the same shaft. Then both shafts aresupported by end plates 16'( only one of which is illustrated) securedto a support plate 19. The auxiliary wheel 17 is operatively connectedto a driving element 20 for driving the digit wheels 7. The drivingelement 20 may be a gear connected to a driving source such as an Aragosrotating disc (not shown) commonly used in watt'hour meters through asuitable gearing (not shown).

In operation, such an Aragos rotating disc or any other driving sourceforming the basic element of the particular measuring instrument isrotated to drive the driving element 20 and therefore the auxiliarywheel 17 through any suitable transmission means, for example, a speedreduction gearing. This causes the four digit wheels 7 to be rotatedthrough the carry-out wheels 18 thereby to indicate the particularmeasured value. That is, that measured value is displayed by thosedecimal digits on the digit wheels as viewed through the window of thewatt-hour meter (not shown).

Each of the supporting discs 16 carries five magnetic cores 3 withwindings for the preceding digit wheel 7 on one surface, in this case,the lefthand side as viewed in FIG. 3 and also five magnetic cores 4with windings for the succeeding digit wheel 7 on the other or righthandside in the pattern as above described in conjunction with FIG. 2,whereby five axial arrays of the magnetic core and winding combinationsare formed. Therefore the displayed measured value is transformed into acorresponding electrical signal in the form of two out of five codes aswill readily be understood from the description as above made for FIG.2. The resulting coded signal provides the origin of informationconcerning a measured value such as a measured watt-hour value.

The invention has several advantages. For example, the present device iseconomical and has no mechanical loss because the display mechanism andread-out transforming mechanism include partly common portions andbecause electromagnetic induction is utilized.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in conjunctionwith a single preferred embodiment thereof it is to be understood thatnumerous changes and modifications may be resorted to without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the encodingdigit wheel may be of any desired shape other than the circular shapeillustrated. It is essential that the digit wheel and the associatedencoding portion should be operative as one member. If desired, theencoding portion may be disposed on the edge of the digit wheel ratherthan on the central portion thereof. Further the driving and outputwindings may be of the air core type. The invention may be practicedwith any carry-out mechanism that is presently employed, in addition tothe one illustrated or that will be put to practical use in the future.While the invention has been described in conjunction with the automaticgauge examination it is equally applicable to the transformation ofread-out values in which reliability is required without maintenance forlong periods of time. Also the invention is equally applicable to avariety of meters for measuring physical quantities including quantitiesof gas and water consumed.

l claim:

1. A displayed measurement translator device for providing codedmeasured values, said device comprising, in combination:

a digit wheel stepwise rotatable through incremental rotations of onetenth of one complete rotation thereof and having thereon l0 decimaldigits, each of said digits corresponding to one of said incrementalrotations of said digit wheel;

a disc-shaped encoding portion provided on said digit wheel, saidencoding portion having four coupling openings circumferentiallydisposed thereon, said openings being divided into two groups eachineluding two openings, said groups of openings being positioned suchthat the two openings of the first of said groups are located atselected two of positions, corresponding to said 10 digits,circumferentially disposed at equal angular intervals on said encodingportion, and that the two openings of the second of said groups arelocated at two successive of said positions spaced away from thepositions of said first group by one position;

five driving windings disposed adjacent one surface of said disc-shapedencoding portion at alternate ones of said 10 positions and continuouslyener gized with an alternating current;

five output windings, each disposed in opposing relationship with one ofsaid driving windings on that side of said encoding portion oppositefrom said driving windings; and

the arrangement being such that at each position of incremental rotationof said digit wheel one only of said groups of openings is aligned withone of said opposed output and driving windings, and those outputwindings aligned with said two openings of said one group areelectromagnetically coupled to the opposed driving windings through saidtwo openings to provide a voltage signal representing that digit in theform of a two out of five code representative of said each position ofincremental rotation of said digit wheel.

2. A displayed measurement translator device as claimed in claim ll,wherein each of said driving and output windings are inductivelydisposed on an individual magnetic core, and wherein said magnetic coresare disposed such that the magnetic cores for said driving windings facethose for said opposed output windings through the respective of saidcoupling openings during the stepwise rotational movement of saiddisc-shaped encoding portion.

3. A displayed translator device as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising one supporting means disposed on each side of saiddisc-shaped encoding portion, one of said supporting means supportingsaid magnetic cores for said driving windings and the other of saidsupporting means supporting said magnetic cores for said outputwindings.

1. A displayed measurement translator device for providing codedmeasured values, said device comprising, in combination: a digit wheelstepwise rotatable through incremental rotations of one tenth of onecomplete rotation thereof and havIng thereon 10 decimal digits, each ofsaid digits corresponding to one of said incremental rotations of saiddigit wheel; a disc-shaped encoding portion provided on said digitwheel, said encoding portion having four coupling openingscircumferentially disposed thereon, said openings being divided into twogroups each including two openings, said groups of openings beingpositioned such that the two openings of the first of said groups arelocated at selected two of 10 positions, corresponding to said 10digits, circumferentially disposed at equal angular intervals on saidencoding portion, and that the two openings of the second of said groupsare located at two successive of said positions spaced away from thepositions of said first group by one position; five driving windingsdisposed adjacent one surface of said disc-shaped encoding portion atalternate ones of said 10 positions and continuously energized with analternating current; five output windings, each disposed in opposingrelationship with one of said driving windings on that side of saidencoding portion opposite from said driving windings; and thearrangement being such that at each position of incremental rotation ofsaid digit wheel one only of said groups of openings is aligned with oneof said opposed output and driving windings, and those output windingsaligned with said two openings of said one group are electromagneticallycoupled to the opposed driving windings through said two openings toprovide a voltage signal representing that digit in the form of a twoout of five code representative of said each position of incrementalrotation of said digit wheel.
 2. A displayed measurement translatordevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said driving and outputwindings are inductively disposed on an individual magnetic core, andwherein said magnetic cores are disposed such that the magnetic coresfor said driving windings face those for said opposed output windingsthrough the respective of said coupling openings during the stepwiserotational movement of said disc-shaped encoding portion.
 3. A displayedtranslator device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising onesupporting means disposed on each side of said disc-shaped encodingportion, one of said supporting means supporting said magnetic cores forsaid driving windings and the other of said supporting means supportingsaid magnetic cores for said output windings.